6 Best Doggie Day Trip Destinations Near New York

July 16, 2016 2:30 PM

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Don’t leave your pet behind on your next day trip or weekend getaway. Bring your furry friend along to one of the many pet-friendly areas conveniently located just a short drive from New York City. Whether your pooch prefers to doggie paddle at the beach or roam free in open fields, there are fun activities for the whole family and man’s best friend at the best places to take a doggy day trip near New York.

One of New Yorkers’ favorite summer pastimes is a two-hour jaunt to the North Fork wine country for a day of relaxation and delicious intoxication. Lucky for your canine friend, more and more of the wineries are opening their doors to dogs, including Jamesport Vineyards. Not only are dogs allowed to explore the picturesque grounds, but they may also join you in the tasting room as long as they’re on a leash. The vineyard offers tastings that change throughout the year, and you may purchase your favorite bottle to bring home with you, or drink at one of the picnic tables in the spacious backyard.

Just a few hours from Manhattan, Route 7, on one of the most scenic routes in the northeast, lays a park full of cascading waterfalls fun for the whole family. Once you pull into the park, you and your four-legged friend may mosey across a quaint covered bridge, enjoy a relaxing packed lunch in the picnic area or hike the winding trails around the falls to get a view of 250 feet of tumbling water. Your pup must be on a leash to enjoy all that Kent Falls has to offer. When you and your pup are done hiking, head into town and enjoy the art galleries and shops that line its main street. There are many outdoor restaurants and cafés to choose from, so dining with your canine friend is no problem.

This public park offers more than 230 acres of nature trails and water access on the Great South Bay. Dogs may play and swim in the water or take a stroll along one of the many wooded hiking trails, as long as they’re on a leash. As one of the truly dog-friendly beaches in New York, it offers everything from a special canine loop to drinking water just for dogs. It also features a picnic area, a playground and a gazebo for the rest of the family.

On the first Saturday of every month, the Long Meadow in Prospect Park transforms into the Coffee Bark. This free two-hour event allows dogs to play together off-leash as their owners mingle over a cup of piping hot coffee. As an added bonus, furry friends get free treats, and the two of you may spend the rest of the day — on leash — hanging out and walking the grounds of the beautiful greens.

Barrett Beach, one of the narrowest parts of Fire Island, is one of the few beaches in New York that welcomes your puppy. Take a special charter ferry from Patchogue, Long Island and pay for your dog to ride the ferry. Take the easy stroll from the dock to the ocean-side beach, or head to the picnic area where you may kick back and enjoy a snack with Fido. To get some shade, follow the forest trail along the short boardwalk. Dogs must be on a leash.

About 90 minutes from Manhattan is Long Island’s Gold Coast, which features many enticing activities for both you and your pooch. You dog will have an adventure of its own as you take them to a real Gold Coast mansion on the water at Coindre Hall. Modeled after a French Chateau, this 100-year old mansion offers 33 acres of open fields for dogs to play on leash. The mansion itself is 80,000 square feet and overlooks Huntington Harbor. It also houses the Museum of Long Island’s Gold Coast.

Traci Tournoux is a freelance writer living in New York. She is covering Travel & Outdoors. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.